This feature originally appeared in the 2025 Fall edition of the Cal Sports Quarterly. The Cal Athletics flagship magazine features long-form sports journalism at its finest and provides in-depth coverage of the scholar-athlete experience in Berkeley. Printed copies are mailed four times a year to Bear Backers who give annually at the Bear Club level (currently $600 or more). For more information on how you can receive a printed version of the Cal Sports Quarterly at home, send an email to CalAthleticsFund@berkeley.edu or call (510) 642-2427.



Volleyball is a game of noises: shouts, squeaking shoes and the thwack of a solid arm swing connecting with its target.

It's in this cacophonous environment that freshman Elise Lau leans forward, grasping her hands together as she positions her arms below the ball rocketing her way, angling them to send the fast-moving projectile back upward into the space where she wants it. Her older sister, Natalie Lau, keeps her gaze laser-focused, darting a step to her right and raising her hands over her forehead. Her forefingers and thumbs spread in the suggestion of an invisible triangle, touching the ball for the briefest of moments before sending it soaring with a pop.

It's something they've practiced time and time again over the years, playing with each other during summer breaks and going to each other's team practices to get reps.

But for the first time, they're wearing the same jersey — one they've both dreamed of wearing their entire lives: CALIFORNIA.

The sisters had been coming to Cal matches since they can remember, introduced to the Golden Bears by their father, Alex, an alumnus who had season tickets to multiple sports. Both fondly recall the crowds packing Haas Pavilion and California Memorial Stadium, drawn by the likes of basketball star Jaylen Brown and standout quarterback Jared Goff.

"To play here now is surreal," Natalie said. 

She has too many memories to count of bringing her youth teammates to Haas to watch their older counterparts, dreaming of playing at one of the highest levels of the sport, and cherishes the experience of being coached by former Cal setter Isabel Potter at one of the Bears' summer camps.

"Cal is my dream school," she remembers thinking. "I love the school. I love the people. It's the perfect fit for me."

Finally, Natalie got the call she had been wishing for so desperately: an offer from then-Cal head coach Sam Crosson.

"I was stunned," she said. "I accepted the offer on the spot."

When Elise thinks back to her childhood memories in Haas, she recalls feeling encouraged by the kindness of the Bears' players (and unnerved by the wide smile of Oski, the Cal mascot who towered over the tiny girl in her blue-and-gold costume).

"The players were all so sweet to me," said Elise, who kept every poster from the post-match autograph sessions she attended. "They made a really comfortable environment for all of the little girls watching."

The opportunity to take the court for the Bears is extra special for Elise — not only is she playing at her dream school, but also playing for her dream coach. Cal head coach Jen Malcom (then the associate head coach at UCLA) first caught her attention three years ago at a recruiting camp, standing out to Elise by giving individual attention to each athlete despite the chaotic atmosphere.

"I told my parents afterward, 'I love this coach. I want to play for her so badly,'" Elise said.

Malcom is likewise highly impressed with Elise. "We knew what we were getting from her when she signed back in the spring, but she's still showing us coaches something new each day," she said. "Her will to keep every ball up and her love for the game really shows in practice."

Elise was still uncommitted in early 2025 because, like her older sister before her, she was waiting on one school to reach out. Natalie was attending an electronics class when she received a call from her sister in late February. She immediately stepped outside, a gut feeling telling her what it was about but not knowing the most important part — yes or no?

Elise didn't keep her in suspense: "We're going to be playing together."

It was yet another major event in a life-changing year for Natalie. The elder Lau started the 2024 season on the bench, as she had for the previous two seasons while backing up All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention setter Annalea Maeder. Just six matches into the year, however, Natalie found herself stepping onto the court as the new starting setter after Maeder suffered a season-ending injury. What followed was many weeks of ups and downs, as she posted several standout performances but struggled at times to find just the right connection with her hitters – a much-needed trait for a position known as the "quarterback" of a volleyball team.

"In the beginning, I was so excited to be able to step out and show people who I was, but it turned into me putting a lot of pressure on myself," Natalie said. "I thought I needed to fill that role in a different way, so I tried to do things that weren't authentic to me. I was losing myself, losing who I was playing for."

After a long period of adjustments, questions and overcoming self-doubt, Lau rediscovered herself. 

"There was a realization that I play volleyball because I love the sport, so I shouldn't put that pressure on myself," she said. "Once I started being open and loud with my teammates, talking to them and having fun, I played so much better."

"She was exactly the right person for the situation we were in," Cal assistant coach Andrew Sato said. "It was not an easy road, but her determination, drive and love for volleyball kept her motivated to show up every day for herself and her teammates. It was awesome watching her develop into a confident and trustworthy leader."

Although she had worried about her sister, Elise never lost faith in Natalie. 

"After seeing the mental challenges she had to go through, watching her find the joy for herself and playing for her team was really inspirational," she said. "I could see how much love she has for the sport, the power she holds. She's been a huge role model for me."

Natalie, in turn, finds her own inspiration from her younger sibling.

"It was really fun getting to watch Elise grow up," she said. "I would think, 'I don't think I was that good at her age — is she better than I was? I need to get better.' I was really proud of her, and I knew if she wanted to play at a higher level, she would be able to do it with that drive and passion."

Despite being too far apart in grade level to have played on the same team before now, Natalie and Elise take a similar enough approach to the game that their deep connection is apparent, even beyond their much-alike appearances.

"They're two of the most competitive players on our team, and their smiles light up the gym," Malcom said. "They feed off each other's energy and give so much to their teammates and to each other."

It's easy for them to keep their energy high. After all, their dream has actually come true.

"I feel so blessed that we have so many people that are so happy for us," Natalie said. "Everyone who grew up coaching us or playing with us knew how much we wanted to go to Cal."

"The support," Elise said, "is incredible."